awsome wrote:mixelflick wrote:Look closer at what we've seen so far...
The SU-57's aren't going anywhwere without SU-35/SU-30SM escorts. I'd bet good money that's the case the entire time they're there. Now, one question... How do board members here know it hasn't fired a missile or dropped a bomb? Or is that just speculation??
Its been 7 years since its first flight, surely they would have qualified some weapons on it by now?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qebsiLbNkyM at the :48 second mark
If I'm not mistaken, that was panned long ago as a work of fiction. Maybe it's occurred, but as others have stated here likely an unguided launch if that. They've been pretty free with releasing SU-57 videos and bragging everywhere they can about how it's moving along, so why so few videos about weapons release?
Tom Cooper is pretty respected jounalist, and had insights in his article I hadn't read elsewhere. I'd trust his sources/judgement on the issue. One thing that really hit home is... how are the pilots supposed to know how best to employ it given the test fleet is hardly enough to integrate with other assets, especially lacking exercises like green or red flag?
How many tactics have been worked out with SU-35's, A-50's, etc. given the fleet is around 10-12 prototypes, not all of which are airworthy? If the latest reports are true, 2 more have joined the fray in Syria. That's around half the prototype fleet in a war zone!!